The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-21
CHAPTER XII tcoxr1surD)

possessed Dy some HXeu ldea
''You shall kill him when the time comes,
said James Burbank "At present it would
make matters worse"
"And when will the time conner asked Gill
bert
when the federals are masters OF Florida
when they have occupied Jacksonville"
"And If il is then too latel"
''My SOM my soni 1 beseech you do not say
that" exclaimed Mrs. Burbank.
'No, Gilbert, do not say that" added Alice.
James Burbank took his sons hand
colbert, listen to me-" ne said. 1--WE like
you and Mars will do instant justice on Texar if
he refuses 10 tell US what he has done with his
victims But for your sisters sake Gilbert-for
your wife's sake. Mars-our anger must give
place to our prudence. There is good reason to
believe that in Texar's hands by and Zermah
are hostages for his safety. The scoundrel is
afraid of having to answer for turning ont the
honest magistrates OF Jacksonville. and turning
loose on Candles Bay the mob of scoundrels to
burn and pillage a Northerner's plantation. If
did not believe this, Gilbert, would speak with
such convicticn7 Would 1 be strong enough to
waltz
'And would still be alivel" asked Mrs. Bur
bank. The unfortunate woman felt that if her
son went to Jacksonville he would fall into
Texars power. And what could save an officer
of the federal navy fallen into the power of the
Southerners when the federals were threatening
F1orida2
Nevertheless, the young officer was not mas
ter Of himself He was obstinate in bis wish to
60, and like Mars, he repeated, II will kill
Texar!"
''Come, then" he said.
'You shall not CO. GILBERT"
Mrs. Burbank raised herself from the sofa
She placed herself before the door; but,
hausted by the effort, she could not support her
self, and she tainted.
"Motherl mother! exclaimed the young man.
Mrs. Burbank had to be carried to her room,
where Alice remained with her. Then James
Burbank rejoined Carol and Stannard in the
hall
Gilbert was sitting on the sofa with his face in
his hands. Mars standing apart, and silent.
snow, Gilbert" said James Burbank, you
are in your right senses. Speak, On what you
say depends what we shall do. Our only hope is
in a prompt arrival of the federals in the county.
Have they given up their project of occupying
Floridag
No"
''Where they2"
"a part of the squadron at this moment is on
~-~~-~~N
coast"
But is not the Commodore going to take Dos
session of the St Johnsl" asked Carroll
1.-THE lower course of the ST. Johns is
Our eunboats are anchored in the river under
orders Of Commandant Stevens
"In the river, and they have not yet endeav-
ored to seize on jacksonville" asked Standard.
''No for they have had to stop the bar four
miles below the town.
1.-THE gunboats stopped" said James Burbank,
sand by an insurmountable obstacleg'
Eyes, father" answered Gilbert; stopped by
want of water. The tide must be high for them
to pass the bar, and even then the passage
would be difficult. Mars knows the channel,
and he is to be the pilot"
''Waitingl always waiting ~ exclaimed James
Burbank. "And for how longl"
Three days or twenty-four hours-how long
the time would be for the people in Castle House!
And IL the confederates that they could not
defend the townl If they abandoned it, they
had abandoned Fernandina. Fort Clinch, and
the other points Of Georgia and northern Flor
ida If Texar did not run away Then where
would they search
Mr.. Stannard then asked if it was tue that |
the federals had met with repulse in the |
North. What was thought of the defeat at |
''The victory Of Pea Ridge has enabled Curtis |
10 reoeeupy the ground he for a moment lost. |
The situation of the Northerners is excellent |
their success is assured in a delay which it was
difficult to foreses. When they have occupied |
the principal points in Florida, they will stop
of from entering through the
coast passes; and arms and ammunition will no
longer reach the confederates. Then in a little
time, the territory will resume its calm and
security under the protection Of our squadron.
Yes, in a few days. But now"
The idea of his sister being exposed to such
peril returned to him with such force that Mr..
Burbank, to divert his attention changed the
How did the belligerents stand7
Could Gilbert give them any news which had not
reached Jacksonville or rather Candles Bay7
Several things he could tell them, some of
hem of great Importance for the Northerners in
Florida.
It will be remembered that after the victory
II Donelson, the State of Tennessee had almost
ntireiy fallen under federal domination. BY
imuItaneous combined attack of army and
eet, the federals endeavored to make them
elves masters of the entire course of the Mis-
issippi. They had descended it to Island 10,
where the troops came in contact with Beaure-
ards division, which had charge of the defense
Z the river, Already. on the Oath of February,
GENERAL Pope's brigade after landing at Com
nerce, the right bank of the Mississippi, had
epulsed j. Thompsons corps. arrived at Island
0 and the village of New Madrid. they had, it
true, to halt before formidable system of
edoubts prepared by Beauregard. Since the
all Of Donelson and Nashville, all the positions
u the river above Memphis had been considered
he fada hui |
ould still be defended, and here it a battle
Tould soon be fought which might be decisive.
But meanwhile. Hampton Roads. at the en-
rance of the James River had been the scene
N memorable combat. The battle had been |
etween the first examples of armor plated
hips, the employment of which has modified the
avies and naval tactics of both the old and
ew worlds.